Geranium plant named `Sanblotch`

ABSTRACT

A new ivy-leaved geranium particularly distinguished by its well-branched shape and compact growth, early appearing deep lilac with blotch single flowers with low seedset, good precocity and floral richness.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new distinct cultivar of ivy-leavedgeranium, botanically known as Pelargonium peltatum hybrid. The newcultivar is propagated from cuttings resulting from the cross of L218and P174. L218 is a lilac flowering peltatum having no pollen. L218 isnot commercially available and is not known by any synonyms. P174 is ared lilac with blotch colored peltatum, with good growth and havingpollen. P174 is not commercially available and is not known by anysynonyms. Neither L218 or P174 have been patented. As a result of thiscross the present cultivar was created in 1991 in Enkhuizen, Netherlandsand has been repeatedly asexually reproduced by cuttings in Enkhuizen,Netherlands and Stuttgart, Germany over a three year period. It has beenfound to retain its distinctive characteristics through successivepropagations, and this novelty appears to be firmly fixed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

This new geranium plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographicdrawing which shows blooms, buds and foliage of the plant in full color,the color shown being as true as can be reasonably obtained byconventional photographic procedures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctivecharacteristics of this new geranium. The data which defines thesecharacteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out inEnkhuizen, Netherlands. The plant history was taken on 12 week oldplants, blossomed under natural light in a greenhouse. Color readingswere taken in the greenhouse under ambient light. Color references areprimarily to The RHS Color Chart of the Royal Horticultural Society ofLondon.

The Plant

Classification:

Botanical.--Pelargonium peltatum -- Hybrid.

Commercial.--Ivy-leaved geranium.

Parentage:

Female parent.--A seedling named L218 is one of our seedlings from ourL-generation of plants bred in 1986.

Pollen parent.--A seedling named P174 is one of our seedlings from ourP-generation of plants bred in 1988.

Form: Very compact, hanging.

Shape: Round.

Stalk length: About 170-220 mm in April and 430-510 mm in September.

Number of stems per stalk: Approximately 4-8 from may until the end ofSeptember.

Number of stalks per plant: Approximately 5-7 in October.

Internode length: About 40-65 mm depending on the light where the plantis propagated.

Growth rate: Hanging and vigorous.

Strength: Very good.

Branching character: Good branching.

Foliage:

Quantity.--Many robust leaves.

Size.--Small, from 45-58 mm.

Shape.--5 lobed, peltate.

Texture.--Hairy at young leaf stage (1 cm long), becoming smoother withincreased maturity.

Zonation.--Almost circular band 2-4 mm. thick, light brown, diameterabout 10 mm.

Ribs and Veins: 5 Ribs.

Color:

Upper side.--Medium green 141A.

Lower side.--Light green 143A.

Length of leaf stem: 25-40 mm.

The Bud

Peduncle length: 110-155 mm, depending on the season.

Size:

Diameter.--2-3 mm.

Length.--9 mm.

Shape: Elliptical.

Form: Ovoid and pointed.

Rate of opening: Medium.

Color:

When sepals first divide.--137D.

When petals begin to unfurl.--138A.

Sepals:

Color.--Inside -- 138B. Outside -- 138A.

Form.--Standing up.

Pedical:

Length.--About 25-30 mm.

Strength.--Very strong, the florets are arranged asymmetric around themiddle of the cluster. The florets are approximately 35 mm in diameter.

Color.--Mature: one side 138A, other side 176A.

The Flower

Blooming habit: Continuous and profusely from April until October.

Size: About 70-90 mm.

Borne: In a cluster having between 4-7 flowers per cluster.

Form: Horizontal symmetric, quite open. When the flowers mature, thepetals curl back.

Petals:

Numbers.--5 per floret, between 80-100 clusters in one season per plant.

Arrangement.--2 upper petals, longer and broader, more curled back. 3lower petals, smaller.

Form.--Upper obcordate.

Color.--Outer petal -- 78B, light purple. Inside petal -- white (lower)or red purple (upper).

Markings.--See pattern.

Reverse side.--Light purple 78D.

Pattern.--The upper two petals have two long red purple margins (colour71A) which fade into the veins. Between the end of the two lines thereis a big red purple blotch (color 67A). Under this blotch there is along section of white pink. The reverse side has the same stripes, butlighter in colour. The lower petals have very small (2 mm) pink lines,mostly 2. The outer parts of the petals are purple colored (78C), in themiddle lighter.

Texture.--Smooth.

Appearance.--Satiny.

Petals remain on stem about 5-7 days depending on the weather.

Persistence: Petals drop, so no picking of matured clusters necessary.

Disease resistance: Sanblotch does not suffer from Botrytis.

Weather resistance: Sanblotch is not unusually affected by wet or hotweather.

Lasting quality:

On the living plant in pot.--About 10-14 days.

As a cut flower.--About 5 days.

Fragrance: No perceptible fragrance.

Reproductive Organs

Stamens:

Anthers.--Either none or totally shriveled. When present, are yellow incolor.

Filaments.--Usually 7, about 1 mm in length, and white in color.

Pollen: If available, then yellow in color.

Pistils:

Number.--One.

Length.--Appr. 6 mm.

Stigmas.--Pink in color, divided in 5 papillae.

Ovaries: Green in color.

Seed: Non fertile.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of ivy-leavedgeranium plant substantially as herein shown and described, particularlydistinguished by its very short internodes and well branched plant, andits early appearing red lilac with blotch single flowers which setlittle seed.